Back from injury and back in form, England’s Cara Gainer is targeting a strong finish to the season in Spain beginning with this week’s Mallorca Ladies Golf Open.
The 28-year-old has been one of the standout players on the Ladies European Tour (LET) in 2023, recording three top-five finishes and consistently ranking inside the top-15 on the Race to Costa del Sol.
Having enjoyed a stellar start to the summer – Gainer finished runner-up in Germany, fourth in Czech Republic, and third at La Sella – the Englishwoman’s momentum took a hit when a cyst appeared on her wrist.
Forcing her out of the KPMG Women’s Irish Open and VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open, Gainer sought medical advice before having the cyst drained in an operation.
Returning to action in September, and with a successful operation behind her, Gainer is finding form again and arrives at Golf Son Muntaner off the back of a T15 finish at Aramco Team Series – Riyadh, her best result since La Sella in July.
“I’ve had the cist drained,” Gainer explained, “I had one in the top of my hand, the bottom of my wrist. It was causing me a lot of problems after the AIG Women’s Open which was a bit of a shame to have a bit of an interruption to the season. But since I’ve had that drained I’m feeling good and haven’t had any problems.
“I’m feeling really good. I was quite happy with how I played in Saudi, minus a few putts here and there. I feel like I’m back to how I was playing in the middle of the summer. I’m looking forward to finishing the season strong.”
Currently 15th in the Race to Costa del Sol, Gainer is targeting a top-10 finish in the standings knowing that should she succeed, she will be able to tee up at LPGA Final Stage Q-Series.
“Obviously I would like to finish inside the top 10 [of the Race to Costa del Sol],” she said. “That’s been a goal of mine since the beginning of the season, and especially with how I was playing in the middle of the season.
“But I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself. If it happens, it happens, then I go to Q-Series. But if it doesn’t, I’m very happy with what I’m doing here. I would like to have another year on the LET to solidify my position.”
As for this week’s setting, Gainer’s history in Spain gives her an extra boost after the Englishwoman finished T3 at the La Sella Open in July, and T14 at last year’s Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España.
“I’m really excited to be here in Spain,” she continued. “I love the style of golf courses here. I’m really looking forward to it but I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself. I’m going to play golf and enjoy it.
“I think the courses here are slightly more tight and more pokey, I’d say that usually wouldn’t be a style that I like but I feel that actually suits my game. I hit it straight and I manage myself well on the golf course. I’m really looking forward to it.”
While landing a much-desired maiden victory is still on the radar with Gainer having registered two runner-up finishes on the LET already (2022 Belgian Ladies Open, 2023 Amundi German Masters).
She said: “Winning is definitely still on my mind. I feel like I’ve been so close really all year. I’m just waiting for that waterfall moment and feel like when I get it, which hopefully I will soon, it will just all start to fall into place and I can kick on from there.”
Gainer gets under way at the Mallorca Ladies Golf Open at 11:13 on Thursday playing alongside Sweden’s Sara Kjellker and Germany’s Alexandra Försterling.
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